Machine for forming hollow glassware



Oct. 17, 1933. C. Q COOK r AL 1,931,375

MACHINE FOR FORMING HOLLOW GLASSWARE Filed June 15, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwue'ntow Oct. 17, 1933. c. c. COOK ET AL MACHINE FOR FORMING HOLLOW GLASSWARE Filed June 15, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W n M Oct. 17, 1933. c. c. COOK El AL MACHINE FOR FORMING HOLLOW GLASSWARE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ill) gm ue'nliow Oct. 17, 1933. c. c. COOK ET AL MACHINE FOR FORMING HOLLOW GLASSWARE Filed June 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 17, 1933 PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR FORMING HOLLOW GLASSWARE Clyde 0. Cook and Charles Badger, Columbus,

Ohio, assignors to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application June 15, 1931. Serial No. 544,325

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in machines for forming hollow glassware and more particularly to means for forming the blanks or parisons which are later expanded in finishing molds to the final shape of the glassware being produced.

An object of the present invention is the provision of improved means for forming blanks or. parisons through the use of a press plunger. To

this end said means includes a plunger operating mechanism adapted to be operated by air under pressure and designed to insure uniformcompacting of the glass in all blanks or parisons formedirrespective of variations in the size of the "gobs or mold charges delivered to the blank molds.

Another object is the provision of novel supporting means for the plunger whereby the latter automatically centers itself with respect to the axes of the blank molds. Thus formation of perfect blanks or parisons is practically insured.

A further object is the provision in apparatus of the above character whereby the plunger and parts directly associated therewith and including the neck or finish ring, may be quickly removed and replaced without interrupting the normaloperation of the forming machine.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

30 In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation with parts in section illustrating the embodiment of our invention in a two table machine.

Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional elevational vie showing the initial positioning of the pressing head over a blank mold.

Fig. 3 is a detailed plan view of the mechanism for intermittently rotating the tables of the forming machine and periodically operating the valve which controls the supply of air under pressure to the pressing head.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view showing one of the ball check valves used in the pipe lines through which air is supplied to the pressing head.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing in full lines an intermediate position of the moving parts of the pressing head, and in dotted lines the lowermost position of the plunger and its holder or carrier.

Fig. 6A is a sectional plan view taken subfinishing mold table.

stantially along the plane of line VI-AVIA of Fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the plane of line V'II-VII of Fig. 5 and showing two additional blank molds.

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along the plane of line VIII-VIII of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view showing the manner in which the pressing head is mounted in operative position relative to the blank mold table.

The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is shown in conjunction with a bottle forming machine of that type including a pair of mold tables arranged side by side and rotating in a step by step fashion about separate vertical axes. The blank mold table 10 includes an annular series of upwardly opening blank molds 11, supported upon a circular carrier 12 which in turn is mounted upon a stationary central column 13 rising from a base 14. A ring gear 15 is mounted on the blank mold table and has operative connection to an electric motor M through a train of gears and a Geneva movement, by means of which said blank mold table is caused to rotate in a step by step fashion.

Specifically the driving connection includes a horizontal motor shaft 16 (Fig. 3) having a bevel gear 17 at its outer end running in mesh with a bevel gear 18 at the lower end of a vertical shaft 19 which is connected to the Geneva movement 20. The shaft 21 is also connected to said Geneva movement and extends through the upper side of a housing 22 which encloses said Geneva movement and bevel gears. A pinion 23 attached to the upper end of said shaft 21 is operatively connected by a pinion 24 to the ring gear 15 on the blank mold table.

A finishing mold table 25 is arranged at one side of the blank mold table 10 and carries partible finishing molds 26 which are brought in succession to a blank transfer position T between the. adjacent sides of the blank and finishing mold tables. Intermittent rotary movement is imparted to the finishing mold table 25 due to driving engagement of the pinion 23 with a ring gear 27 which encircles and is attached to the A blowing head 28 (Fig. llcommon to all of the finishing molds 26 is adapted to be seated upon the finishing molds as the latter are brought in succession to a blowing station. This blowing head, which may be of any conventional or preferred form, provides means whereby air under pressure may be directed into blanks or parisons after they have been completely enclosed in the finishing molds.

While other specific forms of glass delivery means may be employed, we have shown a type including a feeder boot 29 having a bottom outlet 30 through which moltenglass issues by gravity. A plunger 31 operated by mechanism (not shown) regulates the discharge of glass through saidbottom outlet. Shears 32 or some other form of charge severing mechanism, may be employed to separate the issuing glass into mold charges C, the downward path of travel of which is determined by a guide 33 so that they are accurately deposited into the blank molds.

In accordance with the present invention each mold charging operation is followed almost immediately by compacting of the mold charge and the formation of a finish or neck at the upper end thereof. Thus the blank or parison is formed in the blank mold 11. In more or less general terms the mechanism employed for compacting the glass and forming blanks or parisons therefrom comprises a plunger 35 and a neck or finish ring 36 which are separately supported and movable into operable position independently of each other. The neck or finish ring 36 when in operative position forms a continuation of the blank mold cavity. While the neck or finish ring such position, the plunger 35 is projected into the blank mold thereby compacting the glass and forcing portions thereof into the cavity of the neck or finish ring. Both the plunger and neck or finish ring are mounted for limited horizontal movement relative to each other and the blank molds for the purpose of obtaining accurate alignment of these elements so that the necl or finish portion of the parisons and completed articles will be accurately positioned with respect to the remaining portions. These elements comprise portions of a pressing head which may be arranged at either the first or second station beyond the charging station, said head being mounted upon a substantially triangular horizontal supporting plate 37 (Figs. 1 and 9) having one arm connected to the upper end of the central column 13 and its other arms attached to the upper ends of vertical posts 38 which rise from-arms 39 or brackets formed on the base 14.

The construction of the mechanism for operating the plunger 35 and neck or finish ring 36 as well as for suspending these elements from the supporting plate 37 may be substantially as follows. A motor 40 for raising and lowering the neck or finish ring 36 is attached to the lower side of the supporting plate 37 and includes a vertical cylinder 41 (Fig. 5) axially aligned with a vertical opening in said plate 37. The upper end of 7 wardly periodically by air under pressure which by way of conduits 50 extending through as.

is introduced into the upper ends of the cylinders d piston 45 and plate 46 and opening into the motor cylinder 41. These pressure equalizing devices, as will be apparent hereinafter. operate automatically to effect proper and accurate po sitioning of the neck or ring 36 and its holder relative to the blank molds.

The lower side of the cylinders 48 of the pressure equalizing devices are closed by a plate :51 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is attached to said cylinders by screws 52 or similar fasteners. A ring guide holder 53 is attached 'to the lower side of the plate 51 and is'adapted to form with said plate a support for the neck or finish ring carrier 54.

groove 58 into which said ledge or flange 55 projects. The ring '57 (Figs. 5 and 6) is slidingly fitted into the ring guide 56 and is rigidly connected to the neck or finish ring 36. An upward sleeveextension 59 on thering 57 extends a short distance above the plate 51 and supports a removable equalizing pressure plate 60. This equalizing plate 60 (Figs. 5, 6, and7) is of sufiicient area to project a short distance beneath the lower ends of the pistons 49 so that upon downward movement of the latter the plate is pressed downwardly causing the neck or finish ring 36 to snugly and squarely contact with the upper end of the blank mold 11. It may be here noted that the ring guide 56 is provided with a continuous downwardly tapered surface 61 on its lower end adapted for contact with a similarly formed surface 62 at the upper end of each blank mold. When these two surfaces are in proper engagement with each other and the pistons-49 are exerting downward pressure on-the equalizing plate 60, one may be certain that the neck or finish ring 36 is accurately positioned upon the blank mold. The equalizing plate 66 is held against accidental movement by a spring detent 63 or latch, which is pivoted to the upper side of the plate 51 and is yieldingly held in position so that a. portion thereof extends into the path of retraction of the plate. By manually swinging the detent or latch to one side the plate may be withdrawn bringing with it the neck or finish ring carrier 54 as well as the plunger 35. In the event it is necessary merely to replace the plunger, the equalizing plate may only be partially withdrawn bringing a recess 64 in said plate to a position to receive said detent 63.

For the purpose of maintaining proper temperature conditions in the neck ring, the ring 57 (Figs. 5 and 6) is provided with a circular channel 65 through which cooling water may be circulated continuously. A supply pipe 66 conducts water to the channel 65 while a discharge pipe 6'? provides means through which the water is exhausted. Relatively short rigid pipe sections 68 provide connection between said pipes 66 and 67 and the channel 65 and extend through openings 69 in the ring guide 56. Thus these pipe sections 68 serve the additional purpose of supporting the ring 57 and neck or finish ring 36 against dropping out of the ring guide. For the twofold purpose of providing lubrication for the ring 57 which moves within the ring guide 56, and lubricating the plunger 35, a supply pipe 70 is arranged to conduct a lubricant to the interior of the ring guide at a point above said ring 57. A port '11 in the ring 57 provides means throughv which a portion of the lubricant may fiow onto plunger 85. I

For the purpose of moving the plunger relative to the neck or finish ring 36 and permitting the ready replacement of the plunger when necessary, substantially the following construction may be employed. An air motor '72 is mounted upon the upper end of the cylinder 41 and includes a vertical cylinder '73 and piston '74 which is connected through a piston rod '75 to a plunger holder '76. The piston rod '75, (Fig. 5) extends through and axially of the piston 45 and at its lower end is ,separably connected by screws '77, to the plunger holder '76. The plunger holder '76 is formed with a recess '78 in its lower side and a horizontal ledge '79 which is adapted for supporting engagement with opposed horizontal fingers 80 at the upper end of the plunger. The recess 78 and ledge '79 are substantially U-shape in plan and open through one side of the holder '76. Thus when the equalizing plate 60 and neck or finish ring carrier 54 are removed to the extent described above, the plunger may be easily removed from the holder 76. vFor the purpose of maintaining proper temperature conditions in the plunger 35, it is'provided with a chamber 81: extending substantially its entire length and connected near its upper end to a supply pipe 82 and discharge pipe 83. Thus cooling water may be continuously circulated through the plunger.

The supply of air under pressure to the motor cylinders 41 and '73 and to the cylinders 48 of the pressure equalizing devices is controlled and regulated by a valve 84, this valve being moved to its several positions by a continuously rotating cam 85-which is mounted on one end of the shaft 86 carrying a bevel gear 8'7 at its inner end. This gear 87 runs in mesh with the gear 18 (Figs. 1 and 3) resulting in operation of said valve in timed relation to movement of the mold tables. The valve 84 may be mounted on the base 14 or at any other preferred location. The construction includes an elongated housing 88 of substantially tubular formation and having closure plates 89 at its ends. An inlet port 90 formed in one wall of the valve housing 88 is connected to the supply pipe 91 which leads to a source of air supply (not shown). At the left side of the inlet port 90 there is formed an exhaust port 92 through which air under pressure is exhausted from the lower end of the motor cylinder '73. At the other side of the inlet port 90 an exhaust port 93 is formed through which air is exhausted from the upper ends of the motor cylinders '73 and 41. A supply pipe 94 provides connection between the port 95 in said valve housing 88 and the inlet port 43 at the upper end of the motor cylinder 41. An adjustable ball check valve 96 in said pipe 94 regulates and controls the flow of air under pressure into the motor cylinder 41 and may thereby prevent an excessively rapid lowering of the pressing head into operative position. The valve opens wide when the piston 45 moves upwardly and thereby permits rapid movement of the pressing head to its inoperative position. A branch pipe 9'7 is connected to the pipe 94 and communicates with the motor cylinder 41 through a port 98 which is disposed in a plane below the inlet port 43. This inlet port 98 is intended to be so positioned that when the piston 45 has moved downwardly a sufficient distance to properly seat the neck or finish ring 36 on a mold, said-port will provide communication between pipe 97 and said motor cylinder 41. By so locating this inlet port 98, air under pressure may flow through the cylinder 41 to a pipe 99 and by way of the latter to the upper end of the plunger operating motor maintained in compacting the glass during the blank forming operation. A pressure gauge 101 may be employed to indicate the pressure of the air being supplied to said motor '72.

For the purpose of returning the plunger 35 and neck ring to their inoperative positions, air under pressure is applied to the lower side of the piston '74 of the motor 72. A pipe 102 provides a conduit for air. under pressure from a port 103 in the valve housing 88 to a port 104 in the lower end of the motor cylinder '73. An adjustable ball check valve 105 of conventional or any preferred form is arranged in this pipe 102 for the purpose of regulating the rate of flow of air under pressure to and from the motor cylinder.

The valve 84, by means of which flow of air under pressure to the several motors is controlled, includes a movable valve body 106 provided with a pair of annular grooves 107 or channels which are spaced apart and so located on the valve body 106 that when the latter is in one position, one channel establishes communication between the supply pipe 91 and pipe 94 while the other channel effects communication between the exhaust v port 92 and the pipe 102 which leads to the lower end of the plunger operating motor '72. This valve body 106 (Figs. 2 and 5) normally is positioned at the right end of the valve housing 88 (Fig. 2) by means of air under pressure which is constantly supplied to one end of the housing through a pipe 108. 'At the opposite end of the valve body 106 there is provided an extension 109 carrying a cam roll 110 which is engaged at regular time intervals by the rotary cam 85 referred to heretofore. With the valve in the position shown in Fig. 2, air under pressure is supplied to the lower end of the plunger operating motor '72, thereby supporting the moving parts of the pressing head in an inoperative position. Movement of the valve to the position shown in Fig. 5, results in the application of air to the upper ends of the motors 40 and '72, whereby all of the various elements are operatively positioned.

The mode of operation may be stated as follows. The mold tables are rotated intermittently in such fashion that the blank molds 11 are momentarily brought to a stand-still directly beneath .themold charge guide 83 at which time a charge of molten glass is delivered to the mold cavity. Upon completion of the mold charging operation, the tables are again moved so that another blank mold is brought to the charging position. The mold which has already been charged is brought to a stand-still directly beneath the pressing head whereupon the following operations take place. The cam 85 (Figs. 1, 2, and 5,) which rotates in synchronism with movement of said tables moves the valve body 106 to the extreme left end of the valve housing 88 thereby establishing communication between the various pipes thereby moving the parts supported by the piston 5 45 to an operative position as shown in Fig. 5. A portion of the air supplied to the motor cylinder 41 flows through. the conduits 50 and is applied to the pistons 49 of the pressure equalizing devices. Thus pressure is applied to the equalizing plate 60 resulting in accurate positioning of the neck or finish ring 36 with respect to the upper end of the blank mold 11. As the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 5 air under pressure flows through the pipe 97 to the port 98 and the pipe 99,'and thence into the upper end of the plunger operating motor 72. Immediately the piston 74 and rod 75 are forced downwardly, causing the plunger 35 to project a short distance into the blank mold cavity. Thus a portion ofthe glass in the blank mold cavity is forced upwardly around the plunger and into the neck ring cavity. This operation gives final shape to the blank or parison and effectively compacts the glass so that a uniform distribution of the glass in both the blank and finished article may be obtained. While the piston 74 of the plunger operating motor is being lowered, air is exhausted from below said piston by way of the pipe 102 which is in communication with the exhaust port 92. During this operation the ball check valve 105 may be adjusted to regulate the exhaust of air from below the piston 74 so that downward movement of the piston 74 and the pressing plunger 35 is cushioned. Upon completion of the pressing operation the cam 85 moves out of contact with the cam roll 110 permitting the valve body 106 to move to the position shown in Fig. 2 under the influence of .air supplied to the valve housing through the pipe 108. This positioning of the valve body establishes communicationbetween the air supply pipe 91 and the pipe 102 so that air will be applied to the lower side of the piston 74. In this manner the pressing head is raised to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2. During upward movement of the piston '74, air is exhausted from above said piston 74 through a branch pipe 111 which is connected at one end to the pipe 99 and at its other end to the pipe 94, the latter being connected to the valve housing 88. The pipe 94 at this stage of operations also conducts air from the upper end of the motor cylinderv 41 to the valve housing 88 where it is exhausted along with the air from the upper end of the plunger operating motor through the exhaust port 93.

When it is necessary to change a plunger in the pressing head the spring detent 63 or latchis moved to a position in which it permits manual withdrawal of the equalizing plate 60 (Fig. '1) to the dotted line position. This operation separates the plunger 35 from its holder, '76 and allows said plunger to drop through the neck ring opening. In the event the neck ring is to be changed, the carrier 54 including the ring guide 56 and ring 5'7, are completely removed from the holder 53 and replaced by another unit. In removing the plunger or/and neck ring (Fig. 6) it is, of

course, understood that the flexible pipes for supplying oil and cooling water to the parts of this unit are first disconnected.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In combination, a blank mold having an upwardly facing'charge receiving opening, mechanism for compacting a mold charge and forming a blank therefrom, said mechanism including a plunger, a neck ring, separate carriers for the plunger and neck ring, a vertical piston motor for operatively positioning the neck ring onthe .blank mold, a vertical piston motor for moving the plunger into and out of the mold through said neck ring, means providing separable connection between the neck ring and its operating motor,

and means whereby partial separation of the neck ring' and its operating motor completely disconnects the plunger and its operating motor.

2. In combination, a blank mold having an upwardly facing charge receiving opening, a pressing head arranged in a plane above said mold and comprising a neck ring, a carrier for the neck ring, a holder in which said carrier is mounted for limited horizontal movement, a vertical piston motor connected to the holder and adapted to operatively position the carrier and neck ring relative to the blank mold, and an air operated plunger mounted for movement axially of the neck ring into and out .of the blank mold.

3. In combination, a blank mold having an upwardly facing charge receiving opening, a pressing head arranged in a plane above said mold and comprising a neck ring, a carrier in which the neck ring is mounted for vertical movement, a holder in which said neck ring carrier is mounted for limited horizontal movement, a piston motor connected to the holder and operable to move said carrier and neck ring into. operative engagement with the mold, means for effecting relative movement between the neck ring and 105 carrier during operative positioning of the neck ring, and a plunger disposed in part within the neck ring for projection into the blank mold.

4. In combination, a blank mold having an upwardly facing charge receiving opening, a pressing head arranged in a plane above said mold and comprising a neck ring, a carrier in which the neck ring is mounted for vertical movement, a holder in which said neck ring carrier is mounted -for limited horizontal movement, a piston motor connected to the holder and operable to move said carrier and neck ring into operative engagement with the mold, means for effecting relative movement between the neck ring and carrier during operative positioning of the neck ring, .pressure equalizing pistons arranged to apply downward pressure to diametrically opposed portions of the neck ring, anda pressing plunger arranged at least in part within said neck ring for projection into the blank mold.

5. A pressing head comprising a neck ring, a carrier in which said neck ring is mounted for limited vertical movement, a holder for the carrier, said carrier mounted for limited vertical and horizontal movements in the holder, a pair of pressure equalizing pistons arranged to apply downward pressure to opposed portions of the neck ring, means for moving the neck ring and carrier to an operative position, and a plunger disposed between said pistons and movable through said neck ring.

6. A pressing head comprising a neck ring, a carrier in which said neck ring is mounted for limited vertical movement, a holder for the carrierfsaid carrier mounted for limited vertical and horizontal movements in the holder, a pair of the plunger axially of the neck ring.

7. A pressing head comprising a neck ring, a carrier in which said neck ring is mounted for limited vertical movement, a holder for the carrier, said carrier mounted for limited vertical and horizontal movements in the holder, a pair of pressure equalizing pistons arranged to apply downward pressure to opposed portions of the neck ring, means for moving the neck ring and carrier to an operative position, a plunger disposed between said pistons and movable through said neck ring, separate air motors for operatively positioning the plunger and neck ring one at a time, and means whereby one of the air motors operates to inoperatively position the plunger and neck ring simultaneously.

8. A pressing head comprising a neck ring, a carrier for said neck ring having opposed horizontal openings, said neck ring mounted for vertical movement in said carrier, means connected to the neck ring and extending through said openings for limiting vertical relative movement between the neck ring and carrier, and a pressing plunger disposed at least in part within said neck ring.

9. A pressing head comprising a neck ring, a carrier for said neck ring having opposed horizontal openings, said neck ring mounted for vertical movement in said carrier, means connected to the neck ring and extending through said openings for limiting vertical relative movement between the neck ring and carrier, a holder in which said carrier is slidingly and removably supported, a

pressing plunger projecting through the neck ring, a holder for said plunger, means providing separable connection between the plunger and.

its holder, means whereby a predetermined degree of relative movement between the carrier and its holder disconnects the plunger from its holder, and operating means for the plunger and neck ring.

10. A pressing head comprising a neck ring, a carrier for said neck ring having opposed horizontal openings, said neck ring mounted for vertical movement in said carrier, means connected to the neck ring and extending through said openings for limiting vertical relative movement between the neck ring and carrier, a holder in which said carrier is slidingly and removably supported, a pressing plunger projecting through position, a pressing plunger arranged at least in part within said neck ring, an air motor arranged to reciprocate said plunger, means for supplying air under pressure to the first named motor to thereby move said piston downwardly and lower the neck ring, and means whereby downward movement of said piston to a predetermined point automatically operates to cause a flow of air under pressure to one end of the plunger operating motor.

12. A pressing head comprising a neck ring, an air motor including a vertically movable piston for lowering said neck ring into an operative position, a pressing plunger arranged at least in part within said neck ring, an air motor arranged to reciprocate said plunger, means for supplying air underpressure to the first named motor to thereby move said piston downwardly and lower the neck ring, means whereby downward movement of said piston to a predetermined point automatically operates to cause a flow of air'under pressure to one end of the plunger operating motor, and a pressure regulating device arranged to regulate and control the pressure of air supplied to said one end of the plunger operating motor.

13. In combination, a blank mold having an upwardly facing charge receiving opening, mechanism for compacting a mold charge and forming a blank therefrom, said mechanism including a plunger, a neck ring, separate carriers for the plunger and neck ring, an air motor, means for causing it to operatively position the neck ring on the blank mold, a second air motor operative to project the plunger through the neck ring and into the mold, each of said motors comprisinga piston and cylinder, and means brought into activity by the operation of said first mentioned air motor to supply air under pressure from the cylinder of said first motor to the cylinder of said second motor and thereby operate the latter.

14. In combination, a blank mold having an upwardly facing charge receiving opening, mechanism for compacting a mold charge and forming a blank therefrom, said mechanism including a plunger and neck ring above the mold, separate carriers for the plunger and neck ring, an air motor operative to lower the neck ring into operative position relative to the blank mold, a second air motor operative to reciprocate the plunger in the neck ring and periodically project the plunger into the blank mold, each of said motors comprising a piston and cylinder, means whereby the operation of the first motor for lowering the neck ring supplies air under pressure through the cylinder of said first motor to the cylinder of said second motor and causes said operation of the second motor for projecting the plunger into the blank mold, and means whereby upward movement of the second motor plunger correspondingly moves the neck ring.

CLYDE C. COOK. CHARLES BADGER. 

